Enabling connections for use with a network

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the apparatus comprising: a receiver, for receiving a first message associated with the first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; a generator, responsive to receipt of the first message, for generating a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and a probabilistic component for determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.

This invention was made with United States Government support under Agreement No. W911NF-06-3-0001, awarded by the U.S. Army. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for enabling connections.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a network comprises a number of vertices (e.g. representing data processing systems) and a number of edges, wherein an edge represents a connection (e.g. a network connection) between two vertices.

In a prior art network connection strategy, a first vertex wishing to join an existing network queries, in turn, a plurality of vertices associated with the existing network in order to determine one or more vertices to connect to.

This strategy requires multiple queries to be performed and is serial in its nature, hence inefficient.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect there is provided an apparatus for enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the apparatus comprising: a receiver, for receiving a first message associated with the first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; a generator, responsive to receipt of the first message, for generating a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and a probabilistic component for determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method for enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the method comprising: receiving a first message associated with the first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; generating, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.

According to a third aspect there is provided a computer program product including computer readable medium having computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of the method described above when said program is run on a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the following drawings:

FIG. 1A depicts an illustrative overview of a sample network of data processing systems in which to practice an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B depicts an illustrative overview of the sample resulting network when a new vertex connects to then network of FIG. 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C depicts an illustrative overview of a sample network comprising outgoing and incoming edges of vertices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operational steps involved in a process in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It should be understood that a known network connection strategy associated with scale-free networks is termed preferential attachment. A first vertex queries, in turn, a plurality of vertices in order to determine a number of edges associated with each of the plurality of vertices. In response, the first vertex determines probabilistically one or more vertices to connect to. A probability of a second vertex being chosen is proportional to a number of edges of the second vertex. This results in scale-free networks having a number of highly connected vertices (known as hubs). The number of hubs in relation to the number of non-hubs remains constant as a scale-free network changes in size. As described above, this type of network connection strategy is inefficient as it requires multiple queries to be performed and is serial in its nature

FIG. 1A depicts an overview of a sample network (100) comprising a number of vertices (105, 110, 115, 120 and 125) and edges (130, 135, 140, 145 and 150).

Each vertex is associated with an apparatus (200) according to a preferred embodiment. A block diagram of the apparatus (200) is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the apparatus (200) comprises a determiner (205); a probabilistic component (210) associated with a storage component (213) comprising probabilistic data; a generator (215); a transmitter (220) and a receiver (225).

A process according to a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the figures.

With reference to FIG. 3, when a new vertex is to join the network (100), the generator (215) generates (step 300) a first message. Preferably, the first message comprises an identifier associated with the new vertex and an indicator indicating that the new vertex wishes to join the network (100).

In a first example, in response to step 300, the transmitter (220) transmits (step 305) a copy of the first message to each of the vertices (105, 110, 115, 120 and 125) in the network (100) (preferably by using identifiers associated with each of the vertices (105, 110, 115, 120 and 125)).

In the first example, the receiver (225) of each of the vertices (105, 110, 115, 120 and 125)) receives (step 310) a copy of the first message.

In response to receipt of a copy of the first message, the generator (215) of a vertex generates (step 315) a second message comprising an identifier associated with the vertex.

The generator (215) passes the second message to the transmitter (220). Preferably, the second message comprises an indicator indicating that the vertex is operable to make a connection to the new vertex.

In response to receipt of a copy of the first message, the determiner (205) of a vertex, determines a number of edges associated with the vertex.

In the first example, a first vertex (105) comprises two edges; a second vertex (110) comprises three edges; a third vertex (115) comprises two edges; a fourth vertex (120) comprises two edges and a fifth vertex (125) comprises one edge.

It should be understood that a number of edges associated with a vertex can be associated with, for example, the processing capability of the vertex.

The determiner (205) passes data associated with the determined number of edges to the probabilistic component (210).

The probabilistic component (210) of a vertex uses the data associated with the determined number of edges and probabilistic data stored in the storage component (213) to determine a value of a maximum time delay “T_(d)” that the vertex will wait before transmitting the second message to the new vertex.

The probabilistic data is shown below, wherein the value of “T_(d)” is inversely proportional to the number of edges (“N_(d)). A value “t₀” is a constant used by every vertex:

T _(d) =t ₀ /N _(d)

In response to determining a value of “T_(d)”, the probabilistic component (210) determines a time delay “t_(d)” by randomly selecting a value between “0” and “T_(d)”.

In the first example, a representation of values for time delay “t_(d)” is shown below.

Preferably, probabilistically, a value for time delay “td” is inversely proportional to the number of edges:

Number of edges “T_(d)” 1 8 2 6 3 4 4 2

In the first example, the first vertex (105) having two edges (130, 135) has an associated value for “t_(d)” of 3 ms; the second vertex (110) having three edges (135, 140, 150) has an associated value for “t_(d)” of 4 ms; the third vertex (115) having two edges (140, 145) has an associated value for “t_(d)” of 3 ms; the fourth vertex (120) having two edges (130, 145) has an associated value for “t_(d)” of 6 ms and the fifth vertex (125) having one edge (150) has an associated value for “t_(d)” of 7 ms.

The probabilistic component (210) passes the value for “t_(d)” to the transmitter (220).

The transmitter (220) transmits (step 320) the second message in accordance with the value for “t_(d)”.

In the first example, a second message associated with the first vertex (105) is sent after a time delay of 3 ms; a second message associated with the second vertex (110) is sent after a time delay of 4 ms; a second message associated with the third vertex (115) is sent after a time delay of 3 ms; a second message associated with the fourth vertex (120) is sent after a time delay of 6 ms and a second message associated with the fifth vertex (125) is sent after a time delay of 7 ms.

Thus, preferably, a vertex with a higher number of edges responds probabilistically faster than a vertex with a lower number of edges.

However, a random selection of “t_(d)” allows for a degree of randomness associated with the time of response. For example, a vertex with a higher number of edges may respond slower than a vertex with a lower number of edges.

In the first example, at step 325, the receiver (225) of the new vertex receives each of the second messages.

In the first example, the determiner (205) of the new vertex ranks the second messages in accordance with a time value associated with receipt. The determiner (205) uses the second messages to determine (step 330) identifiers associated with a pre-configurable number of vertices having an associated second message that has a fastest time value associated with receipt. It should be understood that the pre-configurable number can be associated with pre-configurable number of connections that can be made to the new vertex.

Typically, a time value associated with receipt is proportional to “t_(d)”.

However, due to differing delays associated with network connections and lost messages for example, a time value associated with receipt may not be proportional to “t_(d)”.

In the first example, the pre-configurable number is “1” and the identifier is associated with the second vertex (110) having an associated second message that has a fastest time value associated with receipt.

In response to the determination, the generator (215) of the new vertex generates (step 335) an edge to the second vertex (110).

An overview of the sample network (165) is shown in FIG. 1B, wherein the new vertex (155) is connected to the second vertex (110) by an edge (160).

It should be understood that the sample apparatus of the preferred embodiment is also operable to be executed, for example, when a connection between two existing vertices of the network (100) fails.

Preferably, when a pre-configurable number of vertices have connected to the new vertex, a vertex that is yet to send a second message (e.g. because the vertex has a long time delay) is suppressed from sending the second message.

Preferably, a vertex is adapted to maintain a configurable number (n_(out)) of “outgoing” edges. With reference to the network (170) in FIG. 1C and with reference to a first vertex (175), an outgoing edge is an edge that originates from the first vertex (175) to another vertex—e.g. edges 191, 192 and 193 to vertices 180, 185 and 190 respectively. In an example, the first vertex (175) is adapted to maintain three outgoing edges.

Preferably, a vertex also has a configurable number (n_(in)) of “incoming” edges available for a new vertex to connect to the vertex. With reference to FIG. 1C and with reference to a first vertex (175), for example, the first vertex (175) has a maximum number of one incoming edge. In FIG. 1C, the incoming edge has been used (e.g. edge 194 from vertex 190).

If by making a connection to a new vertex, the sum of n_(out) and n_(in) is to be exceeded (that is, if the vertex has no further available edges), preferably, the vertex is suppressed from sending the second message. For example, the first vertex (175) has no further available edges as each of the three outgoing edges is used and the one incoming edge is also used. Preferably the first vertex (175) is suppressed from sending the second message.

Advantageously, the preferred embodiment provides an apparatus and method for generating an edge associated with a network without requiring multiple queries to be issued. Furthermore, the apparatus and method of the preferred embodiment is parallel in its nature, in that a new vertex need not query each existing vertex in turn. Rather, the new vertex “broadcasts” a first message.

Advantageously, the apparatus and method of the preferred embodiment can be used in the generation of scale-free networks.

Although, probabilistically an edge is generated to a vertex with a higher number of edges (e.g. wherein the vertex has a higher processing capability), because a random selection of “td” can mean that a vertex with a higher number of edges may respond slower than a vertex with a lower number of edges and because differing delays associated with network connections and lost messages for example, can mean that a time value associated with receipt may not be proportional to “td”, there is provided a degree of randomness associated with the selection of a vertex to which an edge is generated. Thus advantageously, a highly connected vertex may not always be the vertex to which an edge is generated, resulting in a fairer connection strategy.

It will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that all or part of the method of the preferred embodiments of the present invention may suitably and usefully be embodied in a logic apparatus, or a plurality of logic apparatus, comprising logic elements arranged to perform the steps of the method and that such logic elements may comprise hardware components, firmware components or a combination thereof.

It will be equally clear to one of skill in the art that all or part of a logic arrangement according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention may suitably be embodied in a logic apparatus comprising logic elements to perform the steps of the method, and that such logic elements may comprise components such as logic gates in, for example a programmable logic array or application-specific integrated circuit. Such a logic arrangement may further be embodied in enabling elements for temporarily or permanently establishing logic structures in such an array or circuit using, for example, a virtual hardware descriptor language, which may be stored and transmitted using fixed or transmittable carrier media.

It will be appreciated that the method and arrangement described above may also suitably be carried out fully or partially in software running on one or more processors (not shown in the figures), and that the software may be provided in the form of one or more computer program elements carried on any suitable data-carrier (also not shown in the figures) such as a magnetic or optical disk or the like. Channels for the transmission of data may likewise comprise storage media of all descriptions as well as signal-carrying media, such as wired or wireless signal-carrying media.

The present invention may further suitably be embodied as a computer program product for use with a computer system. Such an implementation may comprise a series of computer-readable instructions either fixed on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable medium, for example, diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or hard disk, or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device, over either a tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue communications lines, or intangibly using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques. The series of computer readable instructions embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such computer readable instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Further, such instructions may be stored using any memory technology, present or future, including but not limited to, semiconductor, magnetic, or optical, or transmitted using any communications technology, present or future, including but not limited to optical, infrared, or microwave. It is contemplated that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation, for example, shrink-wrapped software, pre-loaded with a computer system, for example, on a system ROM or fixed disk, or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over a network, for example, the Internet or World Wide Web.

In an alternative, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be realized in the form of computer implemented method of deploying a service comprising steps of deploying computer program code operable to, when deployed into a computer infrastructure and executed thereon, cause said computer system to perform all the steps of the described method.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that many improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An apparatus for enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the apparatus comprising: a receiver, for receiving a first message associated with a first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; a generator, responsive to receipt of the first message, for generating a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and a probabilistic component for determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a transmitter for transmitting the second message to the first vertex after the first time value has expired.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probabilistic data is associated with a maximum time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex and a number of connections associated with the at least one vertex.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first time value has a value between 0 (zero) and the maximum time value.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probabilistic component is operable to randomly determine the first time value.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: means for suppressing transmission of the second message in response to at least one of: a pre-configurable number of the at least one vertex connecting to the first vertex and a pre-configurable number of connections of the at least one vertex being unavailable for connection to the first vertex.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a determiner, responsive to receipt of the second message, for determining a second time value associated with the receipt of the second message.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the determiner is operable to rank the second message in accordance with the second time value.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a highest rank is associated with a fastest second time value.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the generator is operable to generate a connection from the first vertex to a vertex selected in accordance with the rank determined by the determiner.
 11. A computer implemented method of enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the method comprising: receiving a first message associated with a first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; generating, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of: transmitting the second message to the first vertex after the first time value has expired.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the probabilistic data is associated with a maximum time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex and a number of connections associated with the at least one vertex.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first time value has a value between 0 (zero) and the maximum time value.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: randomly determining the first time value.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: suppressing transmission of the second message in response to at least one of: a pre-configurable number of the at least one vertex connecting to the first vertex and a pre-configurable number of connections of the at least one vertex being unavailable for connection to the first vertex.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: determining, in response to receipt of the second message, a second time value associated with the receipt of the second message.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising: ranking the second message in accordance with the second time value.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: associating a highest rank with a fastest second time value.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: generating a connection from the first vertex to a vertex selected in accordance with a determined rank.
 21. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer code means adapted to perform a method of enabling connections for use with a network comprising at least one vertex, the method comprises: receiving a first message associated with a first vertex, wherein the first message comprises an indication that the first vertex wishes to join the network; generating, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message associated with the at least one vertex, wherein the second message comprising an indication that the at least one vertex is operable to connect to the first vertex; and determining a first time value associated with transmission of the second message to the first vertex in accordance with probabilistic data. 